Beautiful weather and sunny days

Life is so busy.  It seems like there is hardly time to stop and breathe but we have been blessed with lovely weather and the garden is beginning to look lovely so we are sitting out there as much as we can.  Tom has mowed the lawns twice in 2 days which was very kind of him and my mum attacked the edges with her garden shears so now we are looking very smart indeed.

Most of the arrangements for next week are in place.  I feel more settled because of it but to be honest have not had time or a real chance to draw breath, so am still very buoyant - surprisingly.

Arrangements

We have been able at last to organise the funeral arrangements for Dick.  We do hope that everyone will feel able to come, if they would like and hope that you will take this as an invitation to attend.

The funeral/service of thanksgiving will take place on Thursday 15th May2008, at 11.30 at Winchester Family Church, Middle Brook Centre, Winchester.  (Please click on link to see directions.)  This will be followed later in the day by a private cremation.  All family, friends and supporters are very welcome to attend and we look forward to seeing as many of you as possible there.  Refreshments will be served after the service and again we would encourage as many of you as possible to stay and chat with us all.  Please do not feel obliged to wear black.  Family flowers only.  Donations to University of Southampton Cancer Sciences Development Trust.  (This is to directly fund the research of Professor Ottensmeier, Dick's oncologist.)

As a family we are doing OK.  We are so grateful for all the messages and phonecalls of support and we know that Dick would have been so pleased to know that this is the case.

Isn't the weather beautiful?  The sun has been shining and the garden is beginnning to look lovely.  So great to be able to sit outside and relax

Farewell

In the early hours of today, my beloved husband, Dick, lost his battle with Mesothelioma.  We are devastated and despite the months of supporting him in fighting this dreadful disease, we are left saddened and empty.  He died as he had hoped, with his family around him, fully aware until almost the end of the love which he was held in and displaying the determination which was his trade-mark.

There are few of his kind and I was honoured and privileged to have been married to him for 27 years.

Ben and Tom and the other members of our family thank everyone for their support and kindness in the past months.  Dick was uplifted and amazed by it all and we have gained strength from the knowledge that we too are surrounded by love.